Monday, 23 June 2014

TORONTO, Ontario - June 23, 2014 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Joe Carter Classic and the Children's Aid Foundation today announced this year's recipients of Joe Carter Scholarships: Anna Ho and Shameer Rahman. Both students are acknowledged for their outstanding academic achievement, community involvement and potential to succeed. Anna and Shameer will each receive a $5000 award towards post-secondary education this fall. The Joe Carter Classic charity golf tournament will be held on June 26, 2014 at Eagles Nest Golf Club in Maple, ON.

"Congratulations to Anna and Shameer on their amazing accomplishments," said Joe Carter, event co-chair and former Toronto Blue Jays star. "It's an honour to play a part in helping such inspiring individuals and community role models strive towards a better future."

"Together with our partners, we aim to help children and youth currently or formerly living under the care of the child welfare system to reach their full potential," said Valerie McMurtry, president and CEO of the Children's Aid Foundation. "We believe that education empowers young people towards a brighter future - so that children are safe, families are strong and communities are supported."

Anna's storyAnna entered care at 13 years old, after the traumatic murder of her mother and grandmother. Despite this life altering event, Anna remained strong and resilient. Anna graduated from high school with honours, and became active in addressing issues related to child welfare, including involvement with the 2011 Ontario's Youth Leaving Care hearings, and the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth's - 'Our Voice, Our Turn' project. Anna will turn 21 this fall and, with support from the Children's Aid Foundation, she will enter her final year of an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree program at Ryerson University.

Shameer's storyShameer lived in and out of foster care since the age of six, after his mother's mental illness prevented her from being his primary caregiver. During adolescence, Shameer experienced negative influences resulting in a drop in academic performance. With support from Children's Aid Foundation, Shameer improved his grades and now uses these negative experiences as inspiration to work hard and give back to others by volunteering extensively. At age 20, Shameer is headed into his third year, specializing in Political Science and minoring in French at the University of Toronto, with plans to establish a career in corporate law.

"Anna and Shameer's stories are an inspiration to us all," said James Dodds, event co-chair and TD Bank Group executive. "We wish both students continued success - as today's Joe Carter Scholarship recipients - and tomorrow's community leaders."

About the Joe Carter ClassicThe annual Joe Carter Classic charity golf tournament pairs avid golfers with top name celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment. Proceeds from the event go towards supporting post-secondary attainment and social development programs for Canadian youth. Since 2010, the Joe Carter Classic has raised close to $1 million to benefit the Children's Aid Foundation and other local children's charities. For more information, including sponsorship details, visit http://www.joecarterclassic.com/

About the Children's Aid Foundation An astonishing number of children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse and neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children's Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future. With the support of generous donors, the Children's Aid Foundation works with child welfare agencies across Canada to provide funding for programs and services in the areas of prevention, education, enrichment, healing and recovery. Learn more at http://www.cafdn.org/

Welcome!

With almost 3,000 members, the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association is one of the largest organizations of its kind in Canada. We have a straightforward mission..."To empower older adults to be active, to be involved and to age successfully."

We are a non-profit, registered charity. The GWSA partners with the City of Guelph in the operation of the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, a state-of-the-art recreation facility.

The GWSA also operates in other locations such as the West End Community Centre, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and, in the not-too-distant future, will be a key Partner with the City in the design and use of the new South End Community Centre.

GWSA makes available some 90 organized programs, activities and services throughout the year as well as special events and public interest forums.

We are supported by the active participation of the more than 500 volunteers who make it all possible.

GWSA Golf Group

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GWSA Golf Group

If you are looking to play golf with fun loving golfers, then the Evergreen Seniors Golf group is the place for you.

Membership in the group provides an opportunity to play non-competitive golf at a variety of local courses at a discounted rate. The Evergreen Seniors Golf group plays every Monday, from the first Monday of May through to the last Monday of September. The golf season for our group concludes with a nine hole scramble and luncheon. A mini golf vacation to Niagara Falls in September is also available to members.

This is an all-inclusive club for seniors with many lady members, some husband and wife teams, some golfers that play nine holes and others that play eighteen. If you are a beginner, an average duffer or better golfer, you will enjoy the relaxed and fun atmosphere of this club.

All you need to do is be a registered member of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association and pay a modest fee to join the golf group - for 2013, the fee is $10 + HST.